For the second week in a row the Western Sydney Wanderers have let two points slip after once again giving up what looked like a comfortable lead against an improved and gutsy Central Coast Mariners at Spotless Stadium.
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Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 1
Central Coast Mariners 1
Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to erase the disappointment of blowing a late 2-0 lead last week when they host the struggling Central Coast Mariners at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEDT).
The Wanderers blew two crucial points when they conceded two goals in the last ten minutes against the Newcastle Jets.
Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was at the centre of the late drama and his two errors cost his team dearly. His poor judgement at a set piece cost his team the first goal and then poor handling resulted in the ball squeezing past him into the net for the equaliser again from a set piece.
Coach Tony Popovic would have been concerned with his team’s defence which at times look disorganised and used several times used the ball poorly. With three of the back four new to the team, it just may mean some patience is needed while the players learn to gel as a unit.
They may get that opportunity against the Mariners who have had plenty of possession last week against the Brisbane Roar under Paul Okon’s new system, but they struggled miserably up forward with barely a shot on target.
Still Okon would have been encouraged that his team showed greater fight after a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Sydney FC the week before, although the Roar did blow several chances.
Prediction
While Popovic would be worried about his defence, he must be very happy with his attack that has shown itself to be fluent and inventive. Captain Dumas was terrific last week in the middle, controlling the game with his deft passing and movement. He was ably supported by one of the recruits of the season in Japanese midfielder Jumpei Kusukami who has been superb in space this season.
While the Wanderers look too accomplished for the Mariners, the Mariners will be hoping they can a glimpse of their three-goal second half in the opening game of the season against Perth Glory. Okon will be hoping to create more chances from their possessions and try to exploit the Wanderers’ defence on the counter using the speed of Connor Pain and Trent Buhagiar.
Wanderers 3-1
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Well done to the Mariners for grabbing the draw tonight. Attendance at Spotless: 12,168
Midfielder
Guest
Same as Brisbane, two weeks in a row...
tully101
Roar Guru
play it all the time, sounds nice
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW FINAL SCORE Wanderers - 1 Mariners - 1 For the second week in a row the Western Sydney Wanderers have let two points slip after once again giving up what looked like a comfortable lead against an improved and gutsy Central Coast Mariners at Spotless Stadium. A defensive howler by Wanderers centre back Robbie Cornthwaite gifted the Mariners Adam Berry a tap in equalizer in the 61st minute against the run of play, cancelling out Brendon Santalab’s second minute opener. In fact, the Wanderers were lucky they didn’t go behind late in the game when Wanderers full back Jack Clisby handled the ball when trying to block a Trent Buhagiar cross much to Mariners’ coach Paul Okon’s disgust on the sidelines. It would have been a frustrating night again for Wanderers’ coach Tony Popovic after his team’s bright start. They certainly didn’t lack chances, but their finishing was poor at times, Mitch Nichols the biggest culprit missing at least three very gettable chances. Both teams had their moments in the first half and the Mariners would have been happy with their efforts. Fabio Ferreira in particular was very creative for the Mariners causing Wanderers defenders all sorts of problems with his runs into the box. The Wanderers would have been happy with some nice touches on the ball but Argentine debutant Nico Martinez and the cotimued good form of Japanese recruit Jumpei Kusukami, although he didn’t make the most of his chances. The second half saw the Wanderers control the first 15 minutes and they looked they looked comfortable until the Cornthwaite howler against the run of play sent shockwaves through Spotless Stadium. In fact from that point on the Mariners wrestled the game back into their control and had the better chances late. The Wanderers seemed to have lost their way and were lucky not to concede a second. Okon would have been proud of his team’s effort and the fact that his team is showing some improvement and earned a point in a difficult stadium to play. For Popovic, whilst there are glimpses of what his side is capable of, consistency for 90 minutes is what is lacking at the moment and not taking advantage of several chances.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
FULL TIME and it finishes at 1-1 at Spotless. Good point for the Mariners, a few boos from WSW supporters.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Last minute coming up...1-1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
4 mins of injury time
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Yep Stevo, they should have called that
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
90' Nichols free again ...runs into the box....and blasts it wide....another miss to Nichols!!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
PENALTY! Easy one to give surely?
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
89' Berry great ball down the right...but called offside
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Unlucky there Mariners, no excuse not seeing that one
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
87' Buhagiar looks to cross, blocked by Clisby...looked like a handball there...should be a penalty!!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Been a disappointing last 20-25 mins for the Wanderers
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
84' Liam Rose on for Powell
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
83' min ....can either side find the clincher? Tense last few minutes coming up 1-1
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
12,168 the attendance for tonight's game
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
81' Lachlan Scott, the 19 yo on for his A League debut replacing Santalab
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Pain is a selfish so and so. Second time he's had the opportunity to pass to a team mate but chose to go for glory himself. Need a kick up the back side and a proper hair cut to boot.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Nichols has had a disappointing night...missed a few and seems to lack poise